Start 14-Day Trial Subscription

*No credit card required

Latest Reviews

Explore The Beer Connoisseur® magazine's database of most recent beer and cider reviews as evaluated by our panel of judges in the Official Review.

Frost Line Rye

Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

A surprising whiff of coffee, dark chocolate and toasted malt is initially apparent. Hops are secondary with an earthy, herbal edge that is restrained. Spicy graininess adds a layer of depth to the considerably deep, rich malt character.

Cali-Belgique

Cali-Belgique

California
United States
Cali Belgique Stone Brewing Beer IPA
Description 

This beer is indeed a complex and surprising combination of flavors, but behind the fancy title is simply delicious Stone IPA dressed up in new Belgian duds. The addition of a carefully selected strain of Belgian yeast adds unexpected layers of flavors and aroma, providing a deliciously funky overtone to the hoppy brightness you already know and love as Stone IPA. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
6.9%
IBUs: 
77
Served at: 
45° F
Hops: 
Magnum, Chinook, Centennial

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
96
Aroma:
24 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
39 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

The interplay of the Belgian and American markers, where each element takes turns being more prominent in the drinking progression, is excellent in this golden beer. The aroma brings a wonderful blend of pine resin, earthiness, pepper, grapefruit... Read More

Trappist Ale

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
89
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Poured into a Belgian-style beer chalice, this elegant brew produces restrained aromas of fruity Belgian esters, banana, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla and light tropical fruit allusions.

Devil's Ale

SanTan Devil's Pale Ale Beer
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
84
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

An inviting citrus/grapefruit and resiny Pacific Northwest hop aroma draws you into this clear orange-amber brew and its low white head. There is an underlying light biscuit aroma with defi nite caramel once it warms.

Ballantine IPA Beer

Ballantine IPA Beer

California
United States
Ballantine IPA by Pabst Brewing Co
Description 

With a deep golden to amber color, Ballantine India Pale Ale is delightful to behold after a lively pour in its characteristic “tulip” pint glass, with a strong foamy head. At 7.2% ABV and with 70 IBUs of bitterness, this refreshing brew is unique among IPAs in that it has been both dry hopped as well as includes hop oils imported directly from the United Kingdom in order to capture the balanced but defined hop flavor of Peter Ballantine’s original brew. Originally aged for over a year in oak barrels, our innovative proprietary brewing method ensures that every drop of Ballantine IPA comes in contact with American oak.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.2%
IBUs: 
70
Served at: 
48°
Malts: 
Pale, Caramel 20, Caramel 40, Munich, Acidulated malt, Cara-Pils
Hops: 
Magnum, Columbus, Willamette, Cascade, Brewers Gold

 

 


The rating and full judge's review for this product is available only to premium subscribers.

Login / Subscribe

Not yet a subscriber? Visit the store now.
Options start for only $9.95!


Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Resinous, piney hop aromas are fresh and appealing, fading as caramel malt emerges. Fruity esters add an accent of strawberries and citrus fruit: tangerine and mandarin orange. A more restrained bready, grainy malt character is secondary.

UFO Hefeweizen

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
20 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

With a deep gold color, slight cloudiness and fl uffy white foam, this American ale seems just as attractive in appearance as its Bavarian Weissbier cousins. However, the nose is wholly different from the spicy, clove-like character of a German... Read More

Hacker-Pschorr Weisse

Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

German Weissbiers, known as hefeweizens in America, generally range from light and spritzy to dark and a bit fuller. This one is on the fuller side. The aroma is sweet and bready with a touch of banana.

Dortmunder Gold

Dortmunder Gold
Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Vividly golden and exceptionally clear, this malty lager throws aromas of floral hops, grains, hints of sweet corn, honey and hard water with traces of sulfur.

Maibock

Maibock
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This clear light amber beer sports a thick, cream-colored head. The aroma is clean with toasted malt and a touch of spicy hop character. I detect a hint of bready yeastiness and sulfur notes, which is consistent with a well lagered beer.

Affligem Blonde

Affligem Blonde Beer
Reviewed by: Phil Farrell
Judges Rating:
88
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Deep gold with fairly good clarity and a modest white head, this beer exhibits Belgian aromatics with pear and apple the dominant fruit. Pepper and coriander are the prevailing spices over a bready malt backbone. Once it warms there is a little... Read More

Thiriez Extra

Reviewed by: Pete Garofalo
Judges Rating:
86
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
7 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This hoppy interpretation of a Saison starts off with a yeasty, bread-like aroma that gradually melds with a honey sweetness. Perfumy hops mingle with some peppery phenols and hints of lemon zest, resulting in a very appealing bouquet.

Stony Brook Red

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
17 / 20

Like a rustic wine, this fruity selection suggests odors of sweet cherries, prunes, berries and hints of lactic acid and mild balsamic vinegar. A shy caramel malt note struggles to be noticed.

Grand-Am

Reviewed by: Tom Cannon
Judges Rating:
95
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
9 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

American Pale Ales used to imply a balance to the malt and hop character in a beer, but these days, the hopheads have taken over.

Blood Orange Gose

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
38 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
19 / 20

Much like Berliner weisse, salty gose beers have experienced a surge in popularity among craft beer buffs in recent years. This gose includes a healthy dose of pungent blood oranges that merge with fragrances of toasted bread, marmalade and... Read More

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
85
Aroma:
23 / 24
Appearance:
4 / 6
Flavor:
34 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

This unusual ale smells of cocoa powder, orange zest, overripe figs and plums, slight earthy hops and bittersweet chocolate. With moderate carbonation and an off-white, slightly tan foam that settles quickly, this dark red ale seems quite... Read More

Double Bock

Reviewed by: Owen Ogletree
Judges Rating:
86
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Uncomplicated aromas of caramel malts, toffee, brown sugar, raisins and fig preserves on toast emerge from this clear, ruddy brown/orange lager that produces an impressive layer of thick foam. Rich malts barrage the tongue with waves of treacle,... Read More

Pages

Partner Sponsor - Official Review

Advertisement